S - John
3:11-12 (NIV): "I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we
testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will
you believe if I speak of heavenly things?"
O - This
conversation with Nicodemus is safe (late in the night, no crowds) and open
hearted. This leader in Israel openly
confesses the Sanhedrin's assessment which they will never make public
("Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could
perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.").
Jesus says in private what is intended for the whole world not just in generic
concept but in the most personal terms. The verses above contain this conversation's third and final "I tell you the truth" statement. If we won't
believe Jesus about earth we will not believe him about heaven. Jesus speaks so plainly about both. The point
is clear and the question which leads all the others is are we really believing
Jesus about earth?
A - Even
a cursory look around seems to confirm that many folks talk about believing him
about heaven but give no appearance to actually be believing him about
earth (words, attitudes or deeds). Yet this is not the kernel of the issue for
me. The issue for me is do I believe
Jesus about earth? What evidences can I
see in my life which confirm or deny my belief? Jesus is always about one thing
in all the truth he is and reveals…2X4ology.
I need to get and keep the 2X4 out of my eye before I attempt to help
(or assess) another with any sawdust which may be in theirs. My assignment
today, and every day, is to believe Jesus about earth so that I may really
believe him about heaven. I am so
very thankful for the verba verbie … the words of the Word.
P - Lord
of heaven above and on earth below,
Thank you for wanting to help
me/us know how to live on earth and not just in thoughts about heaven. Thank you for speaking plainly about both but
for being clear on our need to come near you and stay. Lord, I am doing my level best to believe you
about earth because you are the truth.
Thank you for letting me see this in your written voice -- for sharing
the secrets of your covenant with me. I
love you back. I welcome you and your
will on earth (in me) like they do in heaven.
Lord, thank you for not condemning the world. Thank you for calling, helping, and letting
us believe … unto forever relationship and irrepressible life.
All my love,
Steve
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